Mt. Pleasant Meadows and Churchill Downs - big day for racing

The only thoroughbred race track in Michigan opens for the year on Saturday for live racing at Mt. Pleasant Meadows.

About 2,000 people are expected for the big day at the Meadows, said Christ Christensen, simulcast director at the track.

On Saturday the first race will begin at 1 p.m., and race enthusiasts may also watch a simulcast of the Kentucky Derby, which starts at 6:25 p.m. and the other races at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

On Friday, track employees were handling a steady business of gamblers wanting to place their bets on the derby, Christiansen said.

According to Christensen, there are two groups of gamblers at the track: those who bet on horses only and everybody else.

“Gambling in Michigan started with horse racing,” Christensen said. The average amount of money spent is about $20.

A few years ago, one man took home $100,000, he said.

Four other race tracks are open in the state, but they are all harness racing. Mt. Pleasant Meadows is the only one to offer thoroughbred racing.

It’s no secret that race tracks have closed throughout the state, often overshadowed by casinos, making Mt. Pleasant Meadows a true anomaly. It’s able to stay open because of its size. It’s a small operation in a rural, fairground atmosphere.

“We are fortunate to have this track,” Christensen said..

On Wednesdays through Sundays the track runs live broadcasts of races throughout the country, he said.

But beginning Saturday, live races will be scheduled throughout the summer on weekends until the last weekend in September, Christensen said.

Some horses, trainers and jockeys come from the mid-Michigan area, but many come from all over the country.

“Some jockeys come up from South America and spend the summer,” Christiansen said.

Christensen said that on Saturday, people will visit from all over the state.

“There are a lot of retired auto workers from Detroit,” Christiansen said, adding that the race crowd truly does come from all over.

Some people too, simply like to watch the horses run.

“It’s free and there’s free parking,” he said. “You don’t have to spend any money.”

Linda Gittleman may be reached at 989-463-6071, lgittleman@michigannewspapers.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lgittleman.